Project Info
Project Description
March 2026 – If you’re looking for a meaningful, active, and enriching way for your keiki to spend summer, the Hawaiʻi Nature Center’s Summer Nature Adventure Camp on Maui is now open for enrollment.
Running from June 1 to July 31, this program is designed for keiki ages 6 to 11 (with one week open to ages 9–13). Each day blends outdoor exploration, cultural learning, and hands-on activities, giving children the chance to learn while fully immersed in Maui’s natural beauty.
From forests and wetlands to coastlines and gardens, campers will explore the island while building a deeper connection to Hawaiʻi’s land, culture and ecosystems.
Camp Details at a Glance
Dates: June 1 to July 31 | Time: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm | Ages: 6 to 11 (Week 4 open to ages 9 to 13)
Locations: Maui Nui Botanical Gardens & Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Pricing
5-Day Camp: $350 (members) | $425 (general public)
4-Day Camp (June 8 week only): $280 (members) | $355 (general public)
Scholarships: Limited spots available for keiki who qualify for free or reduced lunch
Refund Policy: Full refunds available up to 7 days before your child’s camp start date
Weekly Camp Themes
Week 1: Our Isolated Islands: Hawaiʻi’s Most Unique Creatures
June 1 – 5 | Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Study Hawaiʻi’s isolated islands and learn about endemic animals of Hawaiʻi: kahuli snails, yellow-faced bees, aeʻo birds, monk seals and more. Each day keiki will learn about a different animal found only in Hawaiʻi. For our field excursions, we will journey from coasts to forests as we explore the habitats of these critters. Afternoons will be filled with crafts, games, and other fun lessons.
Week 2: Plants of Polynesia
June 8 – 12 | Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Keiki will learn about the different native and canoe plants of Hawaiʻi and how they got here. Each day will highlight a new plant, its moʻolelo (story), historic cultural and modern day uses. After learning plant identification, campers will embark on field excursions to find the plants in their habitats across Maui. Finally, each day will include crafts and hands-on activities with each native plant.
Week 3: Mālama ʻĀina: Past, Present and Future
June 22 – 26 | Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Follow Maui’s history from Hawaiʻi’s volcanic formation to modern life on the islands. Keiki will learn about the Hawaiian hotspot theory, the first Polynesian inhabitants, ancient petroglyphs and ruins and the rich history of environmental stewardship embedded within the islands’ culture. While hiking and exploring, students will discover how make positive impact on island ecosystems today.
Week 4: Mālama Maui (Ages 9 to 13)
July 13 – 17 | Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
This week will be full of fun adventures and hands-on mālama ʻāina service learning. Join us as we partner with local organizations to learn about and give back to the land. Hear from conservation specialists in their fields and why they chose their various vocations. Activities will include mountain hikes, native planting, restoration work and more. Designed for 9–13-year-olds who enjoy hiking and working with their hands.
Week 5: All About Avian
July 20 – 24 | Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Students learn about Hawaiʻi birds, including native Hawaiian wetland birds, migratory birds, Native Hawaiian forest birds, and seabirds. Field trips will be geared towards observing these birds and their behaviors in the wild, and hiking into their different habitats. In addition to field adventures, campers will spend time making crafts and other fun hands-on activities.
Week 6: Wai of Hawaiʻi
July 27 – 31 | Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Come learn about the importance of freshwater on Maui. Students will journey to different streams across the island, visit a loʻi kalo patch, search for aquatic organisms and more. Join our stream ʻsplorations with water-related hands-on activities, games and crafts.
Families return year after year because this camp offers more than just childcare, it’s a chance for keiki to:
- Spend their days outdoors and active
- Learn about Hawaiʻi’s culture and environment
- Build confidence, curiosity, and independence
- Make meaningful connections with nature and peers
By the end of the week, campers walk away with a stronger sense of kuleana—a responsibility to care for the land and a deeper appreciation for Hawaiʻi.
Visit the Hawaiʻi Nature Center website to register and learn more about scholarships and availability.
